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Manny's May 30 arrival not set in stone

Manny's May 30 arrival not set in stone

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OAKLAND -- Though the A's sent out a release last week stating Manny Ramirez "is scheduled to play his first game with the A's May 30 in Minnesota" barring any rainouts, manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday it's not a guarantee.

"We want to get him close to 40 at-bats and, whether or not we get there in 10 days, I don't know," Melvin said. "We're not locked into the 30th. We want to make sure he's productive, he's feeling good about his swing, he's getting his hits -- all of those things you want to see when, potentially, he gets here. I'm not sure on the 30th, and it's going to be a progression each and every day. We certainly hope that's the case."

Ramirez was scheduled to play in his fourth game with Triple-A Sacramento in Round Rock, Texas, on Wednesday evening, after going a combined 3-for-8 with two walks and three strikeouts in his previous three contests. He missed Sunday's game because of a sore left wrist.

Ramirez was originally slated to play in a total of 10 games with the River Cats, before his 50-game drug suspension concludes on his May 30 birthday. But that time could be extended if the A's choose to keep him in the Minors longer while delaying what should be a difficult roster decision.

Upon Ramirez's return, the club will have to make both 40-man and 25-man roster moves. For the latter, it's possible Daric Barton gets optioned to Triple-A, considering he has options left, unlike Kila Ka'aihue, who has also proved more consistent at the plate this season.